When I was dating my wife Jo, her 10-year-old daughter Holly learned I was a glutton for chocolate chip cookies. This adorable little lady grinned, loaded in the chocolate chips and baked an entire batch by herself. As she put the cookies on the cooling rack, I began to devour them. They were soft, moist […]
U.S Investments
What’s Going To Happen To The Dollar?
I was not surprised when the Wall Street Journal reported, “Senate Moves to Confirm Trump Fed Nominee Waller, but Shelton’s Candidacy Hits Likely Dead End.” Waller is an insider, currently working for the St. Louis Fed, while Shelton is an advocate of returning to the gold standard. Ms. Shelton was described by some senators as […]
Will Market Volatility Return This Year?
2020 is in the rearview mirror, and I think we can all agree that it’s a good thing. While last year was certainly interesting for investors, I don’t think anyone wants to relive the other parts of 2020. The year is, of course, marked by the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. But let’s not forget […]
The Fed Doesn’t Have A Problem With Fake Money – America Does!
I chuckled when I read the Wall Street On Parade (WSOP) article, “Congresswoman Katie Porter Tells the Fed that It’s got a ‘Big Problem’.” She asked Randal Quarles, Vice Chairman for Supervision of the Fed: “The Fed is largely responsible for dispensing the $500 billion Congress provided as a bailout for corporate America – the […]
PhD Economics Versus Common Sense
Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman is at it again. He recently wrote, “US needs a really, really big relief package to keep its economy afloat.” Mr. Krugman’s opinions vary, depending on the political landscape. In late October 2016, anticipating the election of Hillary Clinton, he wrote, “Debt, Diversion, Distraction”. “Are debt scolds demanding that we slash spending […]
Do Annuities Fit Into the Perfect Retirement Plan?
My wife Jo had some CDs mature. If we renewed them at the current .4% rate, she would take an 80% income cut. She remarked, “That’s not enough income to pay the bills. We don’t want to tap into the principal each month to make ends meet.” What would be a perfect retirement plan? I […]
Buy AAPL or Buy This 12.8% Yield?
Today is the day before one of the most contentious presidential elections in memory—at least my memories, which go back to JFK. I figure discussing detailed investment strategy will get lost in the noise, so today, I will use this platform to express my thoughts on broader aspects of life in the financial world. They […]
Are Preferred Stocks Safe?
I’m still angry! I recently wrote about our “capitulation”. Tim Plaehn explained: “The yield for passive investors in fixed income products is terrible. Savers and retirees start looking for other ways to make their money grow. Just like you and Jo, many investors have moved into stocks out of necessity rather than desire.” (Emphasis mine) Tim was polite. Why […]
Can CSX Stay On the Right Track?
Going to take a few minutes today to look at a trade and possibly intermediate-term investment idea more likely here in a transportation stock CSX. This is one of the prime railroad companies in the US. We’ll examine today strong evidence that this stock may have higher to go still.
Here’s Why Presidential Candidate Joe Biden’s Tax Plan is Good for REITs
If Vice President Joe Biden is elected President, his tax plan to increase federal government revenue by $3.0 trillion relies heavily on higher corporate income tax collections. If the plan goes into effect, the higher corporate taxes could give a lift to the stocks of companies that, by law, do not pay corporate income taxes. […]